20 July 2016

Data Analysis and Interpretation is very important section in SBI PO Mains exam. It has more marks weightage. This section contains 35 questions with 60 marks. You can score more marks with a good practice of various model of questions.

Data Interpretation can be called as Comprehension of mathematics. In reading comprehension, we have to study the passage and answer the questions which will be followed by that. Similarly, in Data Interpretation, data is given in the form of graphs, charts and tables followed by questions. We have to study, understand and analyse the data to solve the questions.

Data: Data is a collection of facts, such as values or measurements. It can be numbers, words, measurements, observations or even just descriptions of things. Information refers to data being arranged and presented in a systematic or an organise form, so that some useful inferences can be drawn from the same. By data we generally mean quantities, figures, statistics, relating to any event.

What is Data Interpretation?

Data Interpretation is the extraction of maximum information from a given set of data or information. The data can be presented either in the form of a table or a bar chart or a pie chart or a line graph or as a combination of one of these formats.

Tips in solving DI questions: The following tips may help in answering problem solving questions that involve data analysis:

Before starting DI section one should be very comfortable with numbers, calculations, fractions, percentages, averages, ratios. It helps in reducing the time required for solving the questions.

Scan the data briefly to see what it is about, but do not attempt to analyse it in too much detail before reading a question. Focus on only those aspects of the data that are necessary to answer the question.

Be sure to read all notes related to the data. When possible, try to make visual comparisons of the data given in a graph and estimate products and quotients rather than perform involved computations. Remember that these questions are to be answered only on the basis of the data given, everydayfacts (such as the number of days in a year), and your knowledge of mathematics.

Do not make use of specific information you recall that might relate to the particular situation on which the questions are based unless that information can be derived from the data provided.